You Are Studying Metabolic Pathways and Discover That Two Pathways

Multiple Choice

You are studying metabolic pathways and discover that two pathways intersect so that the enzyme basinase participates in both of the intersecting pathways, in one case using substrate K and in the other using substrate M. When presented with substrate K in amounts significantly larger than M, basinase converts K to L which leads eventually to the production of the end product R. The activity of the second pathway is depressed simultaneously. In the presence of large amounts of substrate M and lower amounts of substrate K, the second pathway is activated and culminates in the production of that pathway's end product Y. The activity of the first pathway is depressed simultaneously. What are the alternative substrates K and M acting like?

A) noncompetitive inhibitors
B) competitive inhibitors
C) irreversible inhibitors
D) noncompetitive and irreversible inhibitors